Middlesex Cricket can today confirm that wicket-keeper batsman, John Simpson, will join Sussex on a long-term contract and will leave the Club immediately.
Simpson, now 35, signed a contract extension with Middlesex in 2021 until the end of the 2023 season, which was further extended to the end of 2024, however following recent discussions between John and the Club we have mutually agreed that he can be released from his contract to join Sussex, with him having agreed a long-term deal on the South Coast.
The left-hander made his professional debuts for Middlesex in all three forms of the game in 2009 and has since made a total of 448 appearances for the Club across all formats.
With the bat he has amassed a total of 13,195 runs for the Club and has taken 866 dismissals behind the stumps – a record only surpassed by two other wicket-keepers in the Club’s history.
As a Middlesex player, Simpson also made his international debut for England, playing for his country in the three-match home ODI series against Pakistan in July 2021.
On his decision to leave the Club, John Simpson said:
“This has been an extremely difficult decision; however, I believe the time is now right for me to embrace a fresh challenge, and I am excited by what lies ahead in future seasons at Sussex.
“It is for this reason that I have asked to be released from the last year of my contract at Middlesex, and I am grateful to the club for agreeing to this request.
“Middlesex has been my home and my extended family for 16 seasons.
“I will always love the club, and always be indebted to the players, coaches, staff, Board, and members, who have supported me for so long; and I am pleased to have had the opportunity to thank so many people during 2023, my testimonial year.
“I leave Middlesex with so many wonderful memories, and so much respect and affection for the club, and everybody associated with the club, past and present.”
Middlesex’s Director of Cricket, Alan Coleman, commented:
“It is always disappointing to lose players of John’s quality, however given our current circumstances, we were simply unable to match the long-term security that Sussex have been able to offer him over the coming few seasons. John will always be welcome back at Middlesex – the Club will always be his home.
“John has been an outstanding servant to Middlesex Cricket over the years and has given so much to the Club over the last decade and a half. He leaves us on good terms, leaves behind many friends, and will always be remembered as one of the finest wicket-keepers to have played for Middlesex.
“Sussex, and Paul Farbrace especially, have approached this in a very professional manner, and when they first contacted us to enquire about John’s contractual situational, as they were entitled to do, out of respect for John, we granted him permission to speak with them.
“John’s departure leaves big shoes to fill, however also provides the other wicket-keepers within our squad with a terrific opportunity to step up and seize the gloves.”
